COLONIAL HISTORY

Shepherdstown was chartered in 1762 – which makes it nearly thirty years older than the United States. The town, and its surrounding area, also holds a unique place in American history. History buffs and regular travelers alike find Shepherdstown’s historical allure a perfect complement to the charm and variety readily abundant at every turn in town. Many of the buildings in town were constructed before the Revolutionary War. Historic Shepherdstown & Museum has published a self-guided walking tour of Shepherdstown: Walking Tour

The Entler Hotel and Museum

The Entler Hotel is one of Shepherdstown’s major historic icons. Its origins go back to 1786. The Historic Shepherdstown Museum resides in building and displays artifacts, furnishings, and documents of historic interest that might otherwise have been lost.

The Mecklenburg Tobacco Warehouse is perhaps the oldest stone tobacco facility in present day West Virginia. The warehouse is a legacy of an era in history when tobacco commerce dictated governmental policy and dominated world trade. Locating the facility here was no doubt tied to efforts to promote and develop the area, even so far as to seek the seat of the nation’s government (in 1790).

The Rumsey Monument, overlooking the Potomac River, was erected in honor of James Rumsey, a colleague of George Washington, and the first man to pilot a steam-powered vessel. There is a half size working replica of Rumsey’s steamboat and an exhibit reviewing James Rumsey’s life and work on the grounds of the Entler Museum.

Discover the natural and cultural history of 18th century towns located along 136 miles of the scenic Eastern Panhandle. Four sites along the trail are located in or near Shepherdstown, with 11 more sites located close by.

The oldest standing wood frame structure in West Virginia, the Peter Burr house is an eight-room, two-story log, beam and board building. The eight-acre complex is a rare example of a pre-1760 settlement period family homestead.

This historic cemetery is believed to hold the largest number of descendants of George Washington in the U.S. More than 70 members of his family are buried here, including 20 who were born at Mount Vernon.